a case for backbends

Since January, much of my time on the mat has focused on dropbacks, an important part of the Primary Series in Ashtanga yoga. Benefits of backbending include increased spinal flexibility (clearly), stronger legs and arms, openness in the chest, and a rush of new energy everywhere in the body.

Here’s an elegant, thoughtful example of dropbacks:

And here’s a ridiculous, unbelievable example of repetitive dropbacks in hot shorts:

Can anyone tell me what “Solid Potato Salad” is? Sounds a bit like the potato salad sat in the back of the fridge for too long.